SOCIAL REFORM MOVEMENTS – 2 (JR/SR) (#28-46)

Over 200,000 participate in the March on Washington for Jobs

and Freedom. M. L. King gives his “I Have a Dream” speech.

35

The 24th Amendment abolishes the poll tax, which had made it dif-

ficult for blacks to vote in 11 southern states.

36

The Civil Rights Act of 1964 prevents employment discrimination

due to race, color, sex, religion or national origin and establishes

the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) to help

prevent workplace discrimination.

36

Cesar Chavez leads a strike of California grape pickers and a

march on the capital of Sacramento.

36

“Bloody Sunday” provokes national outrage when state troopers

attack a peaceful civil rights march from Selma AL to Montgomery.

1965

36

Thurgood Marshall becomes the first African-American to hold

the office of U.S. Solicitor General.

36

The Voting Rights Act of 1965 outlaws the use of literacy tests as

a voting requirement and allows federal observers to monitor

polling places.

36

Marshall becomes the first African-American Supreme Court Jus-

tice.

36

The SCLC organizes the “Poor People’s Campaign.”

36

The assassination of Dr. King triggers riots nationwide.

36

The Fair Housing Act provides equal housing opportunity regard-

less of race, religion or national origin.

36

Chavez leads a march to the Mexican border to protest the use of

illegal immigrants as strikebreakers.

37

The Supreme Court upholds busing as a legitimate means for

achieving integration of public schools.

37

The National Women’s Political Caucus is founded to increase

the number of women in all aspects of political life.

37

Gloria Steinem starts the feminist magazine Ms.

37

Steinem founds the Coalition of Labor Union Women.

38

Sandra Day O’Connor becomes the first woman on the Supreme

Court.

40

Overriding the president’s veto, Congress passes the Civil Rights

Restoration Act, which expands the reach of nondiscrimination

laws within private institutions receiving federal funds.

40

The Supreme Court upholds race being one of the factors col-

leges consider when selecting students.

41

Madeleine Albright is the first female Secretary of State.

42

Nancy Pelosi becomes the first female Speaker of the U.S. House

of Representatives.

43